Takeaways from DEX2018 in Sydney – Part 2 – Three tips to get what you want from your stakeholders

Here is part 2 of my takeaways from DEX2018.

Lisa Reimers formerly British Red Cross gave us tips to get what we want from our stakeholders.

First of all I learned that Lisa is a decent poker player, so watch out if she wants to play poker.

In her former job at British Red Cross she reduced the number of pages on their website from 4,000 to 300 and she also know that everybody is in politics, when it comes to defend their content.

Lisa recommended that you look at your stakeholders in two groups: Formal and informal. Vocal detractors among your informal groups can be worth a fortune if you can turn them into champions. The same goes if you can make it easy for the apathetics and make them positive.

Spark Trajectory has made a Stakeholder Analysis Wheel, which Lisa showed and recommended.

If you can’t get meetings with your stakeholders turn up to meetings they already participate in.

Lisa also recommended that you generally go where the people are and make roadshows, drop-in surgeries, lunch-and-learn sessions, department meetings and operational forums.

Conversations can not start too early and building relationships in your organization is important. Meet for coffee, be visible, have good meetings and work out loud, so you can continue the dialogue and keep the colleagues informed.

See House of Cards and learn how to get things done. Meetings before the formal meetings and informal talks before the formal talks can move things. You need to find your cheerleaders and engage with them.

Have attention on the task and the people. Find the right balance between firm and flexible and have short or long term relationships.

Find common ground as you may have some goals in common.

Say thanks and be positive

Give deadlines and tell them between the lines, that they are part of a great project and that they can be the reason it is not succeeding. “This is a big step forward for us and let us know if you cannot be ready for June 14”

If you express gratitude you could have up to a 36% better chance for response. “Thanks in advance” gives 66% better chances for a response. But “Thanks” (63%) and “thank you” (58%) also work.

With these words I will say thank you in advance for your comments to these notes ?

Takeaways from DEX2018 in Sydney – Part 1 – Australia Post and UNICEF

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